The balloon includes a pouch formed of a sealed wall delimiting an internal space, and a valve for filling the internal space with a fluid, capable of being occluded after filling the internal space. The pouch delimits a fluid-draining orifice opening into the internal space. The balloon further includes an occluding ball that occludes the draining orifice. The occluding ball can be spherical or polyhedral, and be capable of releasing the draining orifice under the effect of a magnetic field, so as to enable the at least partial drainage of the fluid contained in the internal space. The occluding ball is movable along at least two distinct axes in relation to the pouch.

A method for recycling a used balloon catheter includes accepting a used balloon catheter. The balloon catheter includes a detector that detects a state value including at least a pressure generated in a pipe path formed within the balloon catheter and a storage that stores a result of detection of the state value by the detector. The method includes determining at least one of reusability of the used balloon catheter and a method of recycling the used balloon catheter, based on the result of detection stored in the storage of the used balloon catheter.

One aspect of the invention provides a vaginal stent system including: an inflatable vaginal stent and a removable handle. The inflatable vaginal stent include includes: an elastomeric exterior wall and a first fitting located at a base of the inflatable vaginal stent. The removable handle is adapted and configured for insertion, inflation, and removal of the inflatable vaginal stent from a subject's vagina. The removable handle includes a second fitting complementary to the first fitting and adapted and configure to form substantially fluid tight coupling when the handle is coupled to the inflatable vaginal stent. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of fabricating a customized vaginal stent or dilator. The method includes: generating a 3D model of a vaginal stent or dilator; and controlling a 3D printer to fabricate a vaginal stent or dilator according to the 3D model.

A gastrointestinal balloon system includes a gastrointestinal balloon and a check valve located within the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the gastrointestinal balloon. The check valve includes a string coupled to the check valve, the string having a loop on a proximal end and a catheter having a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive a grasping tool. The grasping tool extends out a distal end of the catheter for grabbing the loop to align the catheter with the check valve. Also, a check valve, two-wat valve, and method of using the same in a gastrointestinal balloon.

This disclosure concerns polymer catheter designs incorporating joints that break under tension. The joints are generally formed from two tubular elements comprising two different polymers with dissimilar thermal and/or mechanical characteristics, which are overlapped and exposed to heat and pressure. The disclosure also concerns methods of making and using such catheters, for instance to deliver medical implants.

The present teachings provide systems, devices, and methods for reshaping the heart and reducing valve regurgitation. A device can be positioned proximate the heart and have a delivery profile and an inflated profile. The device can have a primary cavity and a secondary cavity, and an adhesive inside the secondary cavity. An injectable medium can be injected to the primary cavity of the device. As the primary cavity is filled, the adhesive is forced out of the secondary cavity to adhere the device. The inflated device can exert pressure on the heart, change the shape of a valve annulus, and allow a better coaptation of the valve leaflets.

A catheter includes a detachable tip assembly that when detached from the catheter may be used to occlude a body lumen or vessel. The detachable distal tip assembly may include an inflatable balloon disposed over and secured to a tubular member. The inflatable balloon may be in fluid communication within an inflation lumen extending within the catheter body. Upon reaching a target site within a body lumen or vessel, the detachable distal tip assembly may be released from the distal end of the catheter upon inflation of the balloon to a predetermined size.

Described herein are methods and devices for delivering a drug to the frontal sinus system. An inflatable implant is positioned within the frontal sinus system using an anchoring means secured within the frontal sinus cavity. A drug-containing fluid is released directly into the frontal sinus drainage system.

A content inflation and delivery system including a container including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid outlet is positioned between the fluid inlet and a second end of the container. The system also includes an inflatable content being configured for inflation and delivery from the second end of the container.

A breast cavity spacer device, a kit for performing a biopsy and a method of performing a biopsy, such as for use with a percutaneous lumpectomy, is provided. The breast cavity spacer device includes a catheter. A self-sealing balloon member is removably and fluidly coupled on one end of the catheter. An umbrella valve is coupled to the catheter adjacent the balloon member, the umbrella valve being configured to fluid flow into the balloon in response to fluid flow from an end of the catheter opposite the balloon and prevent fluid flow from the balloon when fluid flow from the end of the catheter is stopped.